"Give, and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38
It's amazing to me how I have read the whole Bible, but can always find a verse that I either don't remember ever reading or a verse that speaks to me in a whole new way. Luke 6:38 is a verse I don't ever remember reading. Obviously, at the time I read it, it didn't hold substantial meaning for me, because it never sank in. The other day this verse jumped off the page at me.
For the past 4 weeks I have been surrounded by people who have given and given and given some more. I am awed at the amount I have received. I am touched by the love and care given to me. It is "A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over...". It isn't a few niceties here and there. I have been blessed with an amazing amount of kindness and selflessness. Picture a big barrel. Inside it is full of blessings that others have given me, not just loosely packed, thrown in haphazardly, but packed tightly together. Pushed, finagled and squeezed until the seems are bursting with goodness.
This is how I feel. The kindness, love, giving and prayers have been poured out into my lap and at times I don't feel very deserving. But, with my new knowledge, thanks to God's Holy Word, I now know what to do with my overflowing lap. I will return the kindness bestowed upon me. I will give to those who need to be given to. I will return the kindness shown to me and I will PRAISE God from whom all blessings flow!
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A special thanks to my dear friend Jackie who sent me a wonderful care package in the mail. She sent me a beautiful heart-felt note, some yummy smelling Mango Mandarin Body Lotion and a batch of chocolaty cookie bars that are a chocolate lovers dream come true! Love you girl! Your thoughtfulness really touched my heart.
And to my sweet friend from Little Toes and Cheerios who sent me a CD of worship music and a DVD with pictures from my blog set to some of my favorite songs. I received this before my back went out, but it has been such a blessing to me. THANK YOU! I have been watching my DVD and it is such a treasure to me! I get teary every time I watch it. Love You!
I also want to thank each of you for all your thoughts and prayers. I am really blessed to have such wonderful friends. The comments you have left me over the past month have really touched my heart. For those of you who have sent me e-mails thank you!!! You are all so special to me!
I have the same experience with "brand new" verses all the time! Just proves to me that God's word really is alive! And friends, blogland or otherwise, really are a wonderful gift!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are doing at least a little better. I hope you are back to being able to do everything you love very soon!
♥ {{hugs}} ♥
Your faith continues to inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dawn-You do inspire me!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Bible is truly the greatest tangable thing in this world. You can open it up and hear God talk to you through reading his word. Read the same verse a million times, and it means something different when God has a different thing to reaveal to you. Absolutely amazing and devine!
ReplyDeleteOh, wonderful - you got it! I was hoping it all arrived in one piece. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd as I was reading your pledge to give back in return to those that need to be given to...well, it struck me that perhaps you are being blessed in these little ways now because you have ALREADY sown such kindness and thoughtfulness and generosity to those around you. From what I know of you, I truly believe that is what is inside of you!
I think you are an inspiration and an incredible woman...Love you too! So, thankful that I have been able to get to know you through this thing we call a blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd the CD is something I truly enjoy making. Just knowing you like it makes me very happy.